William Flory Toto, Jr.

William Flory Toto, Jr., age 77 of Boones Mill passed away in his home on Sunday, January 28, 2018.William was born in Princeton, NJ on December 4, 1940. The life of William Toto Jr. might be described as a journey through diverse cultures: from the sophistication of Princeton, NJ to the primitive lifestyle of Southwestern Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, to retirement in the Dominican Republic, Sherman, TX and then finally back in Virginia. He met his wife, Mildred in Elizabeth NJ and after a short courtship they were married on August 11, 1962. The first two years of their marriage were spent in Interwiedenthal, Germany, where Bill served in the Army. They then returned to Princeton, NJ. Bill worked a linotype at Princeton University Press, then he went to work in his father’s business: Bill’s Men Shop which catered to upper-class gents with five tailor’s plus a full line of ready-to-wear suits. During the years of 1965 to 1969, Bill and his wife Mildred had three children. In 1979, Bill and Mildred left the Princeton lifestyle and moved to rural southwestern Endicott, Virginia. There inspired by the “Back to Basics” lifestyle and enjoyed many years of farming. Later they moved to Boones Mill and opened an aquatic gardening center on their land named House of Water Gardens. Bill loved working outdoors. In 2006, they retired to Sosua, Dominican Republic. Bill loved meeting new people and learning about their lives. In 2008, they moved to Sherman, Texas where Mildred passed away. Bill remained in Sherman after Mildred’s death and then moved back to Boones Mill, Virginia, where he passed peacefully in his home. He served in the 193 ^rd Military Police Company U.S. Forces Europe from January 4, 1962 to May 14, 1963. He was Honorable Discharged on July 21, 1965 from the Army National Guard of New Jersey and June 30, 1967 from the United States Army. William is survived by his sister, Diane Tamasi (Mike Tamasi) of Lawrenceville, NJ; son, William F. Toto III of Denten, TX and daughter, Traci Diaz (Glenn Diaz) of Sherman, TX; four grandchildren, Joseph Toto, Corey Cote, Hannah Diaz, and Christian Toto; seven nieces and nephews. William was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years Mildred Ann Toto; parents, William F. Toto Sr. and Elizabeth Jane Toto; and daughter, Tracy Ann Toto. Special thanks to Lela Massey, caregiver/former daughter-in-law for the love and care during the past six months and to Carilion Hospice of Franklin County and A Nurse’s Touch Home Care for all the love, care and service they have provided. Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.